Give Up Phrasal Verb |Meaning And Examples

The “Give Up” phrasal verb might sound straightforward, but its meaning goes far beyond simply handing something over. In English, the phrasal verb “give up” carries several nuanced meanings, often related to quitting or surrendering in various contexts. Understanding these different meanings can significantly enhance your comprehension and usage of English. Whether it’s about abandoning a challenging task, relinquishing control, or sacrificing something valuable, the phrase “give up” is rich with diverse implications. 

This guide will help you explore the multiple dimensions of the phrasal verb “give up”, providing clear definitions and practical examples.

Give Up Phrasal Verb Meaning

The phrasal verb Give Up can take on various meanings based on the context:

• Quit or Surrender: To stop doing something, often because it’s difficult, frustrating, or no longer worth pursuing. For example, “Joseph decided to give up smoking,” means Joseph has stopped smoking.
• Abandon: To stop supporting or pursuing something, like a goal or a plan. For instance, “She gave up on her dream of becoming a graphics designer.”
• Admit Defeat: To acknowledge that you are unable to succeed or achieve something. “He finally gave up trying to fix the broken refrigerator.”
• Relinquish: To let go of control or possession. “She had to give up her seat on the bus for an elderly passenger.”
• Sacrifice: To give away or offer something, often for a greater cause or purpose. “My friend and I gave up our weekends to volunteer at the animal shelter.”

Remember, the Give Up phrasal verb meaning can vary depending on the context in which it is used.

How to Use “Give Up” Phrasal Verb

You can use “give up” to show that you’re done trying when you face challenges or when you decide that something isn’t the right fit for you. It’s easy to use – just pop it in your sentence!

For instance:

• “I gave up on solving that hard riddle. Let’s try another one!”
• “My little sister gave up on learning the guitar, but now she’s trying the piano.”

Give Up Phrasal Verb in Action

Let’s see the Give Up phrasal verb in action with some examples:

• Homework Blues: Imagine you’re working on a tough math problem, and it’s making your brain feel like a noodle. If you say, “I give up,” you’re throwing in the towel and admitting that this problem is just too tricky for now.
• Candy Quest: Picture yourself trying to open a stubborn jar of delicious candies. After a lot of effort, if you sigh and say, “I give up,” you’re deciding to stop trying because it’s just not working.
• Video Game Adventure: Pretend you’re playing a challenging video game, and you can’t defeat the final boss. If you exclaim, “I give up,” you’re saying, “I surrender to this digital dragon. It’s too tough for me right now.”

Give Up Phrasal Verb Meaning And Usage

Let’s dive deeper into the Give Up phrasal verb meaning and explore its usage with examples in different contexts.

Give Something Up:

When you “give something up,” it means you stop doing or using something. It’s like deciding to quit or let go of that thing. Here are some examples to help you understand:

• Example 1: Jane decided to give up eating candy because she wanted to have healthier snacks.
• Example 2: Mark gave up playing video games for a week so he could focus on his schoolwork.
• Example 3: The doctor advised John to give up smoking to improve his health.

In these examples, people are choosing to stop or quit certain actions or habits. Jane is stopping her candy-eating habit, Mark is quitting playing video games temporarily, and John is trying to quit smoking for the sake of his health.

Give Someone Up:

Now, “give someone up” has a different meaning. It doesn’t mean you’re quitting a person! Instead, it means revealing information or letting authorities know about someone’s location, especially if they’ve been hiding or if there’s a need to find them. Here are some examples:

• Example 1: The detective finally convinced the witness to give up the whereabouts of the missing necklace.
• Example 2: The police asked the community for help in giving up any information about the suspect’s location.
• Example 3: Mary was worried about her friend’s safety, so she decided to give him up to the school counselor.

In these examples, “give someone up” involves sharing information or revealing a person’s location to help in a situation. The detective is getting information about the necklace, the police are seeking information about a suspect, and Mary is sharing her friend’s situation with the school counselor.

Give Up Phrasal Verb Example Sentences

Remember, the Give Up phrasal verb can express the idea of stopping, quitting, or making a choice to step back from a challenge or activity. Here are some more example sentences to illustrate the Give Up phrasal verb meaning. These examples show various scenarios where the phrasal verb is used in different contexts.

• After hours of trying to fix the broken toy, Sarah finally gave up and decided to ask her dad for help.
• Even though the crossword puzzle was challenging, Alex refused to give up until he filled in every single square.
• Emily gave up her seat on the crowded bus to an elderly lady, showing kindness to those in need.
• The soccer team was losing by a big margin, but they didn’t give up and fought hard until the very end.
• Tom wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but he quickly gave up when he realized how difficult it was.
• Despite facing numerous obstacles, Maya was determined not to give up on her dream of becoming a scientist.
• The young artist encountered criticism, but she didn’t give up on her passion for painting vibrant landscapes.
• Mark tried his best to fix the leaky faucet, but after several attempts, he had to give up and call a plumber.
• Maria was determined to lose weight, so she gave up sugary snacks and started eating healthier foods.
• The detective was relentless in his pursuit of the truth, refusing to give up until he solved the challenging case.
• After several attempts, she decided to give up on the difficult puzzle.
• He had to give up his seat to an elderly woman on the bus.
• Despite the challenges, they refused to give up on their dreams.
• I tried to learn French, but I eventually gave up.
• She gave up smoking for her health.
• The team didn’t give up even when they were losing.
• After hours of studying, I finally gave up and went to bed.
• He decided to give up playing video games to focus on school.
• She gave up on the idea of traveling abroad this year.
• I can’t believe he would give up so easily.
• They gave up their weekend to help at the shelter.
• She felt relieved after deciding to give up her stressful job.
• The detective refused to give up on solving the case.
• He was about to give up when he found the solution.
• After many failures, she chose to give up her original plan.
• They asked the witness not to give up any information.
• I had to give up dessert to stay healthy.
• She gave up trying to convince him to join.
• The children didn’t give up when they faced obstacles.
• He finally gave up on fixing the car and called a mechanic.
• She encouraged her friend not to give up on her talent.
• The athlete vowed to never give up on his training.
• After a long search, he decided to give up and go home.
• She felt proud when she chose to give up her bad habits.
• He couldn’t give up his favorite show, even for a month.
• They decided to give up on the project after it failed multiple times.
• She didn’t give up hope even in tough situations.
• He had to give up some personal time for the project.
• They gave up their vacation plans due to work commitments.
• She almost gave up when the deadline was moved up.
• I wish I hadn’t given up on learning the guitar.
• He finally gave up his quest for perfection.
• The group was determined not to give up until they succeeded.
• She gave up her dream of being an actress to pursue a stable job.
• Even though it was hard, he promised himself he wouldn’t give up.

So, now you know the Give Up phrasal verb meaning and usage. Try to learn different phrasal verbs and use them in your conversations. Keep practicing, and don’t ever give up on your journey to English mastery.

“Give Up” Phrasal Verb Challenge!

Let’s see how well you’ve understood the Give Up phrasal verb meaning.

Exercise:

Read each sentence carefully and choose the correct meaning of “give up” based on the context.

After trying to fix his bicycle tire for hours, Tim decided to give up. 

a) He handed the bicycle to his friend. b) He stopped trying to fix the tire. c) He gifted his bicycle to his sister.

Emily was determined to finish her book, even though it was a challenging read. She didn’t want to give up. 

a) She planned to lend the book to her friend. b) She decided to stop reading the book. c) She shared her book with her classmates.

The hikers were exhausted after climbing the steep mountain, but they didn’t give up. 

a) They decided to hand their equipment to another group. b) They stopped climbing and enjoyed the view. c) They kept going until they reached the summit.

Jake couldn’t solve the riddle no matter how hard he tried. He finally decided to give up. 

a) He gave the riddle to his teacher. b) He stopped attempting to solve the riddle. c) He shared the riddle with his friends.

Ready to Check Your Answers?

• b) He stopped trying to fix the tire.
• b) She decided to stop reading the book.
• c) They kept going until they reached the summit.
• b) He stopped attempting to solve the riddle.

FAQs

What does “give up” mean?

“Give up” means to stop trying or to quit something that is difficult or frustrating.

Can “give up” be used in different situations?

Yes, “give up” can be used in many situations, like quitting a hobby, surrendering in a game, or abandoning a goal.

Is it bad to “give up”?

Not always! Sometimes, it’s okay to give up on something that isn’t working for you or is causing too much stress.

What’s an example of “give up” in a sentence?

“I tried to fix my bike for hours, but finally, I had to give up.”

Does “give up” only mean to stop trying?

No, it can also mean to reveal someone’s location or information, like saying, “He decided to give up the whereabouts of the missing person.”

Can you “give up” something you enjoy?

Yes, you can give up something you enjoy if you feel it’s no longer good for you, like giving up junk food for a healthier diet.

How do I know when to “give up”?

If you find that something is making you very unhappy or is taking too much of your time without results, it might be time to give up.

Is “give up” the same as “give in”?

No, they are different. “Give in” means to yield or agree after resisting, while “give up” means to stop trying.

Can “give up” be used in a positive way?

Yes! Sometimes, giving up on a negative habit can lead to a more positive lifestyle, like giving up smoking.

How can I practice using “give up”?

You can practice by creating sentences about things you’ve given up or situations where you might need to give up. This will help you understand it better!

Final words

In conclusion, understanding the phrasal verb “give up” is essential for mastering English communication. This phrase encompasses a variety of meanings, from quitting a challenging task to relinquishing information about someone. While it often carries a negative connotation of surrender, it can also lead to positive changes in your life, such as letting go of harmful habits. By practicing how to use “give up” in different contexts, you can enhance your vocabulary and express yourself more effectively. Remember, the key is knowing when it’s appropriate to give up and when to persevere. Keep exploring and practicing, and you’ll gain confidence in your English skills!